Library to Close Sundays

The Tompkins County Public Library will be closed on Sundays until further notice. The library has been able to fund raise for Sunday hours since their inception in 1997. Corporate sponsors, individuals and member items from the New York State Legislature have all been used to pay for salaries, utilities, security services and building maintenance. However, funding for 2005 has not yet been achieved. It costs approximately $1600 per Sunday to open from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. The library has traditionally opened on Sundays from September through May.

In 2003 the library only obtained half of the needed funding for Sundays and remained closed on Sundays for the first part of the year. In 2004, Sunday hours were made possible by gifts from New York State Senators Randy Kuhl and James Seward, and two local donors.

Library Director Janet Steiner said that Sunday hours are very popular with users. Public programs on Sundays included music in the Ezra Cornell Reading Room and author talks in the Borg Warner Room, co-sponsored by the Bookery.

While many users have suggested closing a different day of the week in order to open on Sundays, Steiner said that solution was not affordable, since Sunday workers receive premium pay and work in addition to their regular hours.

With the loss of the Sunday hours, the library will remain open the minimum number of hours required by New York State Education Law (55 hours per week). Library hours are Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 8:15 pm. Fridays and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 5 p.m.